History doesn’t have to be dry and boring. Actually, it can be quite engaging if you follow these easy to use history tips!
*Disclosure: I received Modern American and World History Pack from Beautiful Feet Books at no cost and was compensated for my time in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I only choose to share resources that I would use with my own family and those that I believe other families will enjoy and benefit from. *
I have enjoyed exploring World War II history with my son this year. It’s amazing the things you learn when you are learning right along-side your kids! So many stories leading up to the war, during the war, and after the war that I remember learning in my history lessons. Then, there are the stories and facts that I either don’t remember or didn’t learn at all!
Easy to Use History Study that’s Curiosity Driven
We definitely follow a curiosity-driven or interest led philosophy when it comes to education. Therefore, we have spent the past year learning all the things a middle schooler should learn about World War II. That passion has also spilled over onto either end of the war. Now my son wants to know all about the events that led to the war including World War I and The Great Depression. On the opposite end, he wants to know more about the Berlin Wall, the Cold War, and the Race to Space.
So, what makes history interesting for kids? First, ask yourself and your kiddo where their interest lies.
Then, follow these easy to use history tips with your kids!
1. Easy to Use Literature Curriculum
With any interest we always start with the best stories and books.
When you read historical fiction novels like Number the Stars you don’t just learn about the actual events surrounding the Nazi resistance in Denmark. You learn about bravery, friendship, hardships, and a coming of age through the eyes of a young girl. Historical fiction can help your child develop empathy and feelings for others’ plight which to me is far more important than memorizing facts.
Engaging biographies help kids see historical figures before, during, and after making history. Inspiring biographies can provide role models for kiddos. While other biographies can supply valuable lessons for life.
I love that the Modern American and World History Pack from Beautiful Feet Books offers guided lessons, a timeline, and oodles of books! This is an easy to use literature curriculum that helped us expand our depth of understanding from the American Civil War through the Vietnam War and contemporary America.
The teacher’s guide provided:
- detailed background information
- study notes
- comprehension and discussion questions
- writing assignments
- website links
- Timeline for a fun hands-on activity
- recommended supplemental literature
Beautiful Feet Books has become a must for our homeschool because of the quality literature it provides from history to geography!
2. Teaching History through Videos
I like to enhance our history with movies and documentaries. Videos can be great for making history fun! It’s also a plus for your visual learners. My son loves to read a book and then find a movie based on the book or a documentary that gives him a visual for something he has read.
History becomes more real when you can see it!
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Curiosity Stream, and your Library are all great resources for history-based videos. My son also participated in several Outschool classes that he really enjoyed: World War II Film & Documentaries for ages 10-15 and 52 Weeks of World War II History for ages 7-12.
3. Teaching History through Hands-on Activities
History becomes loads more fun and memorable when you include hands-on activities!
Hands-on history activities could include:
- Period themed recipes
- Creating products or handicrafts
- Play history games
- Explore period art
- Visit reenactments and museums
The World War II hands-on activities we explored helped bring history to life for my son. The 75th anniversary D-Day event was amazing! The reenactors were thorough and answered any and every question my son had.
He created a WWII newspaper which incorporated all the major headlines of the war!
Did you know SPAM was created during WWII? Yup, he made a SPAM dish for dinner one night. We are also creating our own Victory Garden and raising chickens! All of these were activities that civilians were encouraged to take part in during the war.
History doesn’t have to be dry as the pages of a textbook. By following my son’s interests he now has an amazing knowledge of people, events, and weaponry that he didn’t possess before. I call that a win!
Explore these easy to use tips and make history fun for your kids!
Beautiful Feet Books Giveaway
Check out this giveaway in which Beautiful Feet Books is generously offering 5 winners a $100 Gift Card!
Beautiful Feet Books is also offering the free resource 5 Ways to Know if a Book is Worth Sharing with Your Kids.
Be sure to connect with Beautiful Feet Books for more great literature tips and resources!
Tell me, what are your easy tips of studying History? What part of history is your kiddo interested in?
I really wish reviews like this would mention id a curriculum is religious or not.
Beautiful Feet Books is a Christain curriculum company. However, we are secular homeschoolers and prefer to omit any religious references unless needed for historical context.